For Visitors


Reimbursement

To get reimbursed by the University of Crete for your travel and accommodation expenses and/or receive support for local expenses (per diem), we will ask you to submit all relevant documents to the Crete Centre for Theoretical Physics (CCTP) secretary, which are absolutely necessary for administrative reasons. Before you travel, please inform us about the dates of your arrival and departure and we will arrange your accommodation.

The documents that are needed for travel and accommodation expenses are:

  • the electronic air-ticket that clearly shows your itinerary and fare amount. If the e-ticket doesn’t show the fare amount, the receipt from the travel agent is necessary.
    Please make sure that the travel expense is reasonable. Please note the the University of Crete does not reimburse business class tickets. Even economy tickets have highly variable prices today depending on many factors. The university applies limits like if you come via a non-standard destination, the maximum reimbursement is based on average prices of direct routes. In case of doubt, please contact us in advance so that we avoid unpleasant surprises,
  • the original stubs of your boarding passes (both for the arriving and return flight),
      • Note: The boarding pass of the return flight should be sent by registered mail to us to the following address: University of Crete/ Physics Department, 71003 Voutes, Heraklion, Greece.
  • a copy of your passport,
  • data of your bank account (IBAN and swift code),
  • the official hotel receipt.

    • For receiving per diem, please keep all the receipts you will get from meals and transportation means. It also includes the expenses been made to get to the airport and return from it. It is important that taxi receipts are official and emanate from the special machine taxis have for that purpose. Although taxi drivers will try to persuade you otherwise, no other kind of receipt is acceptable in that case.

    You will receive reimbursement in Euros and the bank transfer will be made after you leave Greece.

    Passports and Visas

    EU citizens are not required to carry a passport, as long as they carry the proper Identification Card. Only UK citizens are required to carry a passport, although all other entry conditions for EU nationals are applicable.

    Citizens of countries such as the U.S.A., Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and several South American nations, need only a valid passport to stay in Greece for up to 90 days without a visa. On the other hand, citizens of the majority of the countries that are not Member-States of the Schengen Agreement require a visa to enter Greece, issued by the consular authority of the place of residence of the applicant. Visas are distinguished into short-term residence ("Schengen" visa) and long-term residence (national visa). Countries for which a visa is necessary are presented in the following list.

    The Crete Centre for Theoretical Physics (CCTP) will help you obtain a short-term or long-term visa, if you are from a country that requires visa to enter Greece. Please contact the administrative assistant of the CCTP group kandida@physics.uoc.gr

    at least two months before the day you plan to enter Greece and they will provide you with the necessary documentation, such as an official invitation letter from the University of Crete.

    It is illegal to stay in Greece with an expired visa and individuals that do so are subject to prosecution.

    For visa issues please call the CCTP secretary at: +30 2810 394308.

    Note: During their stay in Greece, visitors with a visa must also have suitable insurance coverage for emergency medical or other needs.

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     Getting Euros

    The official currency of Greece is the Euro and its denominations. It is very easy to exchange currencies in Greece, as there is a large number of exchange booths in Athens and all major Greek cites. Currency exchange rates are clearly displayed in every bank that accepts currency exchange, while debit card holders may acquire money from the ATMs of the collaborating banks. ATMs have English menus as well, and in some cases other languages too. Greek banks are open for the public from 8:00 to 14:30 Mondays to Thursdays and from 8:00 to 13:30 on Fridays. They are closed on weekends and Public Holidays. Euros can also be exchanged for notes of other foreign currencies at exchange offices that are situated at the airport and certain main ports, in the larger cities, as well as at many tourist destinations. A passport is required when exchanging currencies.

    Credit cards are not very common in everyday transactions in the Greek society, but this varies with the sector. You can pay by credit card in most hotels and upscale restaurants and shops. you may not be able to do so in simple tavernas etc. Make sure that you carry enough cash with you.

    Here you can find the universal currency converter.

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    Restaurants, Food and Wine, Tap Water

    • Some (biased) info and recommendations on greek wines by E. Kiritsis.
    • Tap water: The first instruction one should give to visitors is: " don't drink water from the tap"! Not that it will kill you, but tap water in Heraklion is not considered drinkable. Locals buy bottled water for their house and you should follow their example!

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    Recommended Hotels

    Hotels in the City Center

    Hotel Atrion
    Tel. +30 2810 246 000, Fax. +30 2810 223 292, e-mail: info@atrion.gr,
    The hotel is located near the El Greco Parc at the City Center (see this map). They have special prices for University visitors: single room 64 euros, double room 77 euros including breakfast. You should mention that you are a university visitor to claim these rates.


    Hotel El Greco
    Tel. +30 2810 281 071 5, Fax. +30 2810 281 072, e-mail: elgrecohotel@her.forthnet.gr,
    The hotel is located in the very center of the city, near the Lions Square (Morozini Fountain) (see number 16 this map). They have special prices for University visitors: single room 36 euros, double room 48 euros, triple room 63 euros including breakfast (1/10-30/6) and single room 43 euros, double room 52 euros, triple room 70 euros including breakfast (1/7-30/9). You should mention that you are a university visitor to claim these rates.


    Hotel Iraklion
    Tel. +30 2810 281 881, Fax. +30 2810 342 026, e-mail: info@iraklionhotel.gr,
    The hotel is located in the very center of the city, near the Lions Square (Morozini Fountain) (see number 21 this map). They have special prices for University visitors: including breakfast . You should mention that you are a university visitor to claim these rates.


    Hotel Kastro
    Tel +30 2810 284 185, +30 2810 285 020 Fax +30 2810 223 622, e-mail: info@kastro-hotel.gr
    The hotel is located near the El Greco Parc at the City Center (see this map). They have special prices for University visitors: single room 40 euros, double room 50 euros including breakfast(1/1-30/3 and 1/11-31/12) single room 47 euros, double room 57 euros including breakfast(1/4-15/6 and 1/10-31/10) and single room 50 euros, double room 65 euros including breakfast(6/6-30/9). You should mention that you are a university visitor to claim these rates.


    Hotel Lato
    Tel +30 2810 334 955, Fax +30 2810 240350, e-mail: info@lato.gr
    The hotel is located near the custom's office in the city Center (it is number 6 on this map). They have special prices for University visitors: single room 64 euros, double room 84 euros including breakfast They also offer free use of the gym. You should mention that you are a university visitor to claim these rates.


    Hotel Megaron
    Upscale Hotel, Tel +30 2810 305 300, Fax +30 2810 305 400 e-mail:Megaron@otenet.gr
    The hotel is located near the custom's office in the city Center (it is number 6 on this map). They have special prices for University visitors: single room 156 euros, double room 180 euros including breakfast. You should mention that you are a university visitor to claim these rates.


    Hotel Olympic
    Tel +30 2810 288861, Fax +30 2810 222512
    The hotel is located in the city Center (it is near number 3 on this map). They have special prices for University visitors: single room 50 euros, double room 70 euros including breakfast. You should mention that you are a university visitor to claim these rates.

    Apartments in Amoudara

    Amoudara is a suburb of Heraklion (about 6 Km from the City Center, near the sea). It is a mostly tourist area. It is about 4 Km away from the Physics Department. One can come to the department by bus (difficult, as you must take a bus towards heraklion and change half way to a bus towards the Physics Department, see this info for more details), or taxi (easy, costs about 4-5 euros).


    Pension Anna
    Patmou 5, Amoudara Gaziou
    Tel./Fax: +30 281 082 1146


    Michel Apartments
    2 Parou str., Ammoudara, Heraklion 714 14
    Tel: +30 694 597 8130


    La Stella Apt
    odos Naksou Amoudara Gazioy
    Tel: +30 2810821910

     



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    Sightseeing

    History and Museums

    Excursions

    • Yuchtas Mountain. There is a trail leading all the way to the top, mostly marked, starting on the road between Vasilies and Sylamos. This is a treasure trove in spring for many of the endemic wild orchids of Crete (see here).
    • Yious Campos. This is a small plateau near the Amari reagion south of Rethymnon famous for the native flora during spring time. You can get an idea of the area and the flowers here (2016) and here (2017). You need a car to get there from Heraklion (1-1:30 hours drive) and informations from us to find the right parts.
    • The ruins of ancient Gortys (Dorian City that dominated the region for many centuries after the Dorians occupied Crete. It is close to Heraklion (about 45 minutes by car). Among other things there is a remarkable wall with the written laws of the city dating back to the 7th century BC.
    • Agios Nikolaos.
    • Island of Spinalonga and the nearby village of Plaka.
    • Kritsa and Kritsa Gorge .

    Links and Information on Local Services